★ Byzantine lead seal of Nicholaos episkeptites ★
Byzantine lead seal of Nicholaos episkeptites (11th/12th cent.)
Obverse: The bust of saint Nicholaos in prelate's garments, facial, nimbate, blessing by his right, holding the book of Gospels by his left, columnar inscription Ο Α(ΓΙΟC)/ ΝΙΚ-ΟΛ[ΑΟC]= Ὁ ἅγιος Νικόλαος (Saint Nicholaos), all within dotted border
Reverse: Inscription in 5 lines, following a cross, all within dotted border: + Κ(ΥΡΙ)Ε Β(ΟΗ)Θ(ΕΙ)/ΤΩ CΩ Δ/ΟΥ(ΛΩ)/ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟ/[ΤΩ] ΕΠΗCΚ(Ε)/ΠΤ(Ι)Τ(Η) = Κύριε, βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Νικολάῳ τῷ ἐπισκεπτίτῃ (Lord, help yοur servant Nicholaos the episkeptites).
Regarding the office of the owner of this seal "episkeptites" (administrator of imperial domains, the so-called "Episkepsis"), vd. Kazhdan, Alexander, ed. (1991), Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, p. 717.
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 7.88 gr
Diameter: 26 mm